Maybe as a forum/website we could come up with a dossier on how the ARU should improve the NRC, i think suggestions need to be realistic(i.e. spending cash which doesn't exist isn't realistic), maybe keep it to 5 or 6 key points to maximise the effect and likelihood it is noticed. ..
Im going to set out that since this is my idea
we exclude the issue of the point scoring and law variations because its an even split of pros and cons and a contentious issue which has been done to death on this forum.
So heres some of my ideas, in no particular orders..
-
Social Media Consolidation
Greater focus on social media, firstly there needs to be a centralised NRC Facebook page/Twitter account which 'shares' all videos, fixtures, photos, news reports which are released by the relevant NRC teams.. There also need to be an improved presence by the Wallabies and Waratahs across the social media platforms. I'd even suggest that the Rebels cut away having an individual page for the Rising and bring it back under the Rebels banner to maximise the reach. Reds did it the best out of the NRC organisations, but there is room to improve.
Marketing
Flowing on from the 'social media consolidation' point, marketing through the social media channels needs to increase 10fold especially at the ARU and Super Rugby social media level. Cross promotion at the end of the Super Rugby season leading into the NRC needs to improve to improve the awareness of the competition:
-Foxsports advertising the NRC during the later rounds of Super Rugby
-Promoting the NRC clubs at the local grade competitions throughout the season club season, have a stall, players, information etc.
-Promoting the game at the Super Rugby games during halftime, include advertisements in the match day programs.
-Where possible, have NRC matches as curtain raisers for Wallabies Test to improve the chance of exposure to the casual observer
- Derby Day's(Match of the Round):
These would be identified as the 'match of the round' and should be the game to be broadcast for that week.
- Sydney Derby Day- 4 Sydney teams play each other in a double header
- QLD Double Header - Brisbane City and QLD Country play a double header against two other teams out of Ballymore
- QLD Derby - Brisbane City vs QLD Country
- GF Re-Match(Round 1), Brisbane City vs Perth Spirit
- Themed Rounds
In line with Omar's comments, some themed rounds should be introduced..
- Womens Round
- Club Rugby Round(players wear there club socks)
- Heritage Round(these are new teams but the have links to historical ones)
- Team Colours
Deconfliction between the teams over the team colours needs to be done, each team should have a distinct and unique colour/colours to represent their team. Take note of the vibrant colours the BBL used which allows fans to easily identify the teams.
